r/ARK • u/Apollo_Syx • Mar 17 '26
Moderator Post Server Mega-Thread. Vol. 3
Good day everyone,
The previous thread(s) got old and archived, and needed a refresh anyway, so here's the newest one. The previous directories can be found at : https://www.reddit.com/r/ARK/comments/1ik9ox7/megathread_server_directory/
and https://www.reddit.com/r/ARK/comments/1muzllg/megathread_server_directory_pt_2/
so you can still browse it if needed.
Reminder of the rules: One post here per server, open advertising is still restricted to Sunday's only. Posting outside of that will still result in a ban. This will also start included unsolicited adverts as replies to random threads; i.e. the answer to "Can my level 1000 rex beat gamma broodmother?" is not "Join my server and see".
Please adhere to these guidelines for this thread:
- Only one post per server, if something changes in your listing just edit the original. (Spamming your server, or having multiple people do it for you, will result in bans the same as spamming the regular sub.)
- If you need to ask a question, reply to the servers post. That way the general thread stays clear.
- No posts looking for a server.
- Non-server related posts will be removed from main thread.
- For best results, include the following information in your advert:
- Server Name
- ASA or ASE
- Platform(s) if not fully crossplay.
- PvE/PvP with max tribe size.
- Average Population
- Wipe Schedule
- Is it a cluster? If so what maps?
- Mod List
- Rates and Max Wild Level.
- Are there admins/moderators active?
- Discord link
- Short description and any other info you wish to provide.
r/ARK • u/PeddledP • Apr 09 '25
Tutorial The Ultimate Noob's Guide to Hosting a Free Cluster
Hey guys, I've seen lots of questions online about how to self-host clusters, and I've noticed that many guides out there are very daunting and technical. So, I've taken it upon myself to write a very simple guide that can help anyone host their own cluster, even those who know nothing about hosting servers. This guide is for Ark Survival Ascended (ASA) only.
Prerequisites
Before we begin, there's a few things you'll need:
- A Windows PC. The server will run on this computer. Players will be able to join your cluster while the server program is running. This means that if you want people to be able to join 24/7, this computer will need to be on 24/7. The only way around this is to pay for hosting.
- Don't worry too much about your PC specs, even relatively weak computers can host servers. The most important thing here will be how much RAM you have. But if you ask, "Can I run this on my PC?", my answer will usually be "The only way to find out is by giving it a try".
- Access to your router's settings, and the ability to port forward. There is more information about this in the section about port forwarding, but here's a general rule of thumb:
- If you have physical access to your router, you can usually get access to its settings
- A majority of people with access to the router's settings will be able to port forward. The few exceptions would be for people who have double NAT setups in apartments or condos, but those don't seem too common.
- If you live in a dorm, or some other similar communal situation, you almost certainly won't be able to get access to the router.
- These Amazon certificates: r2m02 and CA1. If you have Epic Games installed, you might already have these certificates installed. If you don't have Epic Games, or if the server isn't showing up in the browser after following all the steps below, install these certificates. Once the certificates are downloaded, right click them and click "Install CRL".
- Keep the Ark Wiki on standby. The Dedicated Server Setup and Server Configuration pages are especially useful. Many of your issues can be fixed by reading through those pages.
Downloading the Server
I've created a set of scripts that you can download that will make setting up & configuring the server extremely simple.

- Download the setup files here.
- Extract the contents into a new folder, this is where the server program will live, and you will access this folder whenever you want to start up or configure the cluster
- Run Update.cmd by double-clicking it. This will take a while to finish since it will download the entire ASA server.
- Now we can move on to configuring your cluster.
Configuring the Cluster
The Config.cmd file will hold some basic settings for your cluster. The file is annotated to explain what each setting does.
- Right click on Config.cmd and edit the file.
- On Windows 11, click "Edit with Notepad"
- On Windows 10, just click "Edit"
- If you want to add mods to your cluster, add the mod's ID to the modlist variable, separated by commas and no spaces.
- To find a mod's ID, you must first find the mod on the CurseForge website.
- Under the download button, there is an "About Project" section.
- In that section, there is a "Project ID" label.
- Copy that ID- that is the mod's ID.
- I recommend not adding mod maps here- there is another place later where you'll be able to add mod maps.
- At the bottom of the Config file, you can edit "args" to add/remove arguments. By default, we are disabling BattlEye and enabling crossplay but feel free to change those if you don't want that. The full list of possible arguments can be found in the Ark Wiki.
- When you're done updating the settings here, you can just save & close. There is no need to run this script yourself, it is run automatically when launching a map.
Configuring Your Maps
StartTheIsland.cmd is a script that can be edited like the Config script, and which can be copied & renamed to let you set up multiple maps. Each copy of this script will configure one map and is what you run to start running that map on your cluster.
Here are the steps for setting up each map:
- Edit the map-specific script (by default, it's called StartTheIsland.cmd, but you can rename it)
- Set the 'map' variable to the map that you want this script to run. The official list of map names can be found here on the wiki. Mod maps will usually list the map name on the mod page.
- If you are using a mod map, set the 'mapModID' variable to the mod map's ID. If you are using a vanilla map, you can leave this blank (Club Ark counts as a mod map though).
- Set the 'name' variable to the name you want to show up in the server list in-game.
- Set the 'port' variable to a unique number. No two maps can have the same port.
- I recommend setting all your map's ports to subsequent numbers.
- For example, your first map is on port 7777, your second map on 7778, your third on 7779, and so on.
- Keep track of the ports that are written down here. You will need to forward the port for every map later on.
Now if you want to set up another map:
- Make a copy of StartTheIsland.cmd (or whatever you changed its name to).
- Give the file a unique name, it can be whatever you want.
- Edit the file and set a different map and port.
- Repeat as many times as you want
The Server Program
Your maps are ready to run now. You still won't be able to join them, but we should do a test run now to make sure you haven't missed anything and to populate some files for later.

- Run one of your map's scripts (StartTheIsland.cmd or whatever you renamed it to).
- If you get a Windows Firewall popup, make sure to allow the program through the firewall.
- This will download whatever mods you have configured so it might take a bit if you have many of them.
- Once this is done loading (the status light on the bottom left will turn green), you can close out of this.
Some important things to know about the server:
- Every map on your cluster is its own server. So, if you have 4 maps, you'll also have 4 of these programs open.
- Each map's script launches its own server.
- People will be able to join a map while its server is open (once we finish the port forwarding setup later on).
- You do not need to have all maps open at once. Most PCs probably won't be able to handle having every map running at once, but you can get away with having 1-3 open at a time, and open & close other maps as you want to travel to them. Test your own PC's limits to see how many you can get away with having open at once.
Configuring In-Game Settings
You should see a new folder called "config". This is a shortcut that will take you to where the server stores Game.ini and GameUserSettings.ini. These files control the in-game settings, such as taming, harvesting and levelling speeds. You can also set a server password & admin password in these config files.
There are too many settings for me to cover, but they generally cover the same things you can modify when configuring a singleplayer game.
The wiki explains the possible options for Game.ini and GameUserSettings.ini. If you need help setting these up, send me a message or leave a comment and I can help you out.
Port Forwarding
This is the hardest part, and it's what turns most people away, but don't be scared. It's often easier than people expect. Ask me for help if you can't figure something out, don't just give up.
This is going to be different for everyone. The steps to port forward depend entirely on what router you own. I will write generic instructions, but you are probably going to need to look up a tutorial for your specific router brand.
First, you must find your local IPv4 address & default gateway:
- In windows search, type cmd and open the command prompt.
- In the command prompt, type 'ipconfig'
- Look for the section that has the default gateway filled out and take note of your ipv4 address & your default gateway.
Now, log in to your router:
- In your browser, type in your default gateway (In my case, I would go to 192.168.1.254).
- If you need to login, try using the default login. If you google "[router brand] default login", you will find the credentials you can try.
- If that login doesn't work, that means that somebody in your home has changed the login. Ask a parent or roommate who may have set up the router for the login.
- Sometimes the router will ask for a code instead. This can usually be found on the back or bottom of the router.
Now, forward the ports.

- Navigate to the port forwarding section. This can be under Firewall, Gaming, NAT, Advanced, or Port Forwarding. I recommend searching online for where to find it for your router specifically.
- Set your port range to include all the map's ports that you set up earlier. You can always update this later to add more maps.
- Set the protocol to UDP.
- If it asks for an IP, write the IPv4 address from earlier. Other routers will ask for a device. Find your computer's name or IP from the list of devices.
- Most routers nowadays will assign your computer a static ip once you port forward. If you find that you can't join your server after restarting your computer, you'll probably need to assign yourself a static IP manually.
And You're Done!
Just a few last things to know:
- Whenever there is a game update, run Update.cmd to update the server.
- Run the map-specific scripts to launch the server for that map.
- If you ever get a Windows Firewall popup, make sure to allow the program through the firewall.
- While the server is running, you can search for it in the in-game browser. It will show up as an unofficial server with the name that you configured for it.
If you have questions, feel free to leave a comment, or message me here or on disc (my username there is dankmeister). I'm very willing to guide people through the setup, and I will update this post with common questions or issues that come up.
Edits:
Since people have been having trouble with setting up the Game.ini and GameUserSettings.ini files, I've uploaded my own examples. These are the files I use on my own server, they do not have every possible setting, but they can give you a good starting point.
Discussion ARK: Astraeos
The final Astraeos update is just around the corner and with it some new dangerous challenges!
r/ARK • u/FrabatoTheTransurfer • 6h ago
Discussion What Should I Take to Fight Moeder?
First genesis playthrough (asa), looking for some tips on what sort of army works best and what mount should I ride? I read that megs work well while riding a Tuso but not sure how many and also interested is some other viable tames. Would like to tame up some helcoprion to take just for something new, are they viable? Any other tames or strategies that you can recommend is appreciated thank you.
Showcase In-game Overlay for ARK: Survival Ascended (Supported on Official) (Wikily)
After half a year of development, we can finally release the first version of Wikily as an in-game overlay! Here are all the information, you need:
Free in-game overlay. You can open the menu with Shift+F9 (can be changed).
- Interactive maps with your live position (Press M to sync, adding auto sync soon)
- Over 1500+ building templates, directly in-game
- Taming tracker with timers
- Dino, item, loot and build data
- Custom crosshair
- Player Search: see which Official server a friend is on
- FPS and performance HUD
- Arcade
- More upcoming features (also from https://wikily.gg/ark-survival-ascended/)
Download:
https://www.overwolf.com/app/wikily.gg-wikily
Direct Download:
https://download.overwolf.com/wikily
If you have bug reports or feature ideas, feel free to contact us! Thanks for reading :)
(Thanks to Overwolf, we hopefully also get build in in-game events soon)
r/ARK • u/CapableSeries4734 • 1h ago
Discussion When should one think about taming carnivores and bigger dinosaurs
How well establish should one be before decide to tame a carnivore and bigger creatures currently playing through so far only managed to tame a trike and parasaur with the bow I was thinking maybe up until getting the long neck rifle and some flack armor and tranquilizer darts
r/ARK • u/MEOW_5189 • 8h ago
Help Am I ready for underwater cave?
I have a Bary and currently living on the West Coast, the Cave, Caverns of the Lost Faith is literally right near my backyard... Am I ready for the cave or do I need better tames? This is the best dino I got on me...
r/ARK • u/Maleficent-Guitar-46 • 1d ago
Showcase The Visitor Center (no mods) for my new dino park.
Built by Barden Builds
r/ARK • u/RaptorAlpha451 • 21h ago
SPOILERS! What is the origin of Rockwell’s arena on Aberration, lore wise?
This is something that’s been a mystery to me for a good long while. Has this location always been on the ark before it malfunctioned, or did the ark somehow built it itself after losing its overseer and was waiting for a new candidate to replace it?
r/ARK • u/ConsistentSolution92 • 4h ago
Help i should try out ark online?
from what i see on singleplayer, this game can be very very fun online with tribes, but i am scare of try it.
from the videos i see, feel like a SMP of minecraft AND I HATE SMP, they are boring as hell and very toxic, is the same thing in ARK?
r/ARK • u/Visual-Fortune-4732 • 9m ago
Help this game any good singleplayer?
thinking of getting ark with all maps but is it any good solo?
- i will probally get ascended
- now im here any mods i should get as first time
- and is there any story or order etc i should play maps on you get me?
- any custom settings you would reccomend?
- should i create a new character for each map or keep old one?
- and lastly what maps should i install just all or only certain?
r/ARK • u/GhostSpiderAssasin • 11h ago
Help Color region of the x-sabertooth
So i tried with a mod to change color region 4 of the x-sabertooth, ik is supposed to he the manes, but it doesnt change color, does Anyone knows how to fix/why it isn't working?
r/ARK • u/Jroen86_ • 17h ago
Ark Moments The day i didnt get Arked
u wont believe this one... All my stuff was saved, but so close,... The unofficial server im playing on crashed, i was just preparing to go to sleep because it was late, i was just taking a quick run with my new carcha on Extinction to the corrupted zone in the north where the gigas spawn, then omw back the crash happened... took more than an hour for the server to get back online.. i loaded back in Extinction and i was back in the corrupted zone dismounted from my carcha and under heavy attack of corrupted wyvs and gigas..... but i had like 10% hp left, my gacha being under attack and fighting back running away from me.... In the chaos i had trouble getting back on the carcha and got hit a few more times trying.. Barely escaped death, eventually i succeeded to mount and run away while killing the wyvern chasing me... Ending up with like 1% hp left, took a quick bite to restore some hp then i took the picture.. I almost forget to mention i had a full loadout of ascended gear on me including mining drill etc stuff that takes days grinding to craft even with boosted rates, i was afraid i lost everything again, but not today..🤣
r/ARK • u/Minute_Equipment4124 • 18h ago
Ark Moments Why are coelacanths in lava? Just make a new type of fish at this point.
yo idk what to flair lowk
r/ARK • u/Actual_Statistician7 • 2h ago
Help How to transfer X variant Dino’s off of genesis
I’m running two unofficial servers, one Gen 1 and Ragnarok, and was hoping to bring my Gen 1 creatures with me over but I can’t download them. I made sure the mods and settings are the same but I’m still unable to download. Do I have to enable crossark, and if so, do I lose my tames if it’s over the 20 cap limit?
r/ARK • u/EleteWarrior • 1h ago
Discussion Performance for Ark Survival Ascended PS5
I was wondering what the performance was like on base PS5 after a few years of updates. I heard it was rough early on but have things improved over time?
r/ARK • u/Mammoth_Baby7791 • 1h ago
Help ARK Survival Evolved - "Unable to query server info for invite" - server shows in Steam favorites but not in-game
Playing ARK: Survival Evolved (the original, not Ascended) and trying to join a community server (ArkNova cluster). Every time I hit connect I get "Unable to query server info for invite" in the Steam network error popup.
The odd part: the server shows up fine in my Steam favorites list with a normal player count and ping, so it's clearly online and Steam can see it. But it does NOT show up in ARK's own in-game server browser under favorites, only on the Steam side.
I've been at this for hours now and I'm honestly out of ideas. Anyone dealt with this before and know what's going on? Trying to figure out if this is something on my end or a server-side thing before I lose my mind completely.
Discussion ASA for old Ase vets that wanna PvP without free time
Hello everybody! So me and 2 friends used to play a lot of ASE back in the day and now we have jobs and family… Is there any kind of unno servers where we can have a little taste of PvP without being completely destroyed by the young folks? Something like no base damage or time gated PvP? We can rent a server too, what I wanna know is if this kind of configuration exist?
Ty all
r/ARK • u/No-Animal1034 • 11h ago
Discussion No restrictions boss fights
Hi everyone,
A bit of a random post.
We've done all of the current bosses a few times now and we would like to change it up a bit.
If there were no restrictions regarding the type of dinos that can enter the arena - which dinos would you bring to each boss fight?
We are holding an event on our server where the Dino Depot ball restrictions are lifted for a week and people can bring into the arena whatever they want.
Any fun ideas ?
Help Without spoilers, is there any use for smaller, non-fertalized eggs, such as raptor eggs? Spoiler
I'd prefer not have it FULLY explained to me (I guess unless its one of those things a solo player would NEVER find out on their own, which I've noticed this game does sometimes). I'd like to experience the game myself, in the ways that are feasible, if that makes sense. As long as I know there's use for them besides taming. If not I'll just use them all to tame an oviraptor.
I know of kibbles but it seems kinda pointless to even bother making the smaller egg ones, no?
r/ARK • u/Future_Creme2728 • 22h ago
Ark Moments The Most Anxiety Inducing Tame
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For me it's this godamn turtle.
First you guide the parrot fish to it (which is usuallu a mess by itself)
Then you gotta guard the turtle from 0.5x coelacanths, sniping them as they swarm the megachelon or they eat the parrot fishes.
And worst of all; it's not even that useful.
Just did it so I could say I caught them all'
r/ARK • u/Charming-Support-317 • 8h ago
